Part One: Empress: A Novel by Shan Sa

This book is about the life course of a woman, Heavenlight who becomes Empress of China in the seventh century.  Heavenlight, a feminist of her time, rejects convention in her life seeking freedom on horseback and with archery, in poetry and in periods of ascetic living.  The feminism depicted in the story is lived out within a strict social structure. In the Wu dynasty that is part of Heavenlight’s family origins, the name “Wu” refers to “warrior” (p.29).  The book possesses exceptional descriptiveness and cruel social dynamics. 

References

Shan, S. (2006). Empress: A novel. NY: Harper Perennial